Monday, May 17, 1999

Wahine named
No. 2 seed in
NCAA softball
tournament

Coach Coolen likes the
team's chances in this
week's regional in Seattle

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

What started out as a game of hide-and-seek turned into one of capture the flag for the University of Hawaii softball team yesterday.

The Wahine watched the NCAA Selection Show, trying to figure out where -- and IF -- the name "Hawaii" would show up on the 48-team bracket. Hawaii (32-21) finally popped up as the second seed in this week's regional in Seattle, avoiding what Coach Bob Coolen considered two death-trap regionals at UCLA and Arizona.

"We're excited," Coolen said in a telephone call from Fresno, Calif., last night. "We knew where we wanted to go and where we didn't want to go. We were like little kids, playing a guessing game.

"We weren't really sure if we'd get in or if our overall record was good enough. But this seeding means the committee considers us as having one of the top 16 power ratings. I'm glad we put together a tough preseason schedule. We played a lot of good teams and beat some of them."

The Wahine will open regional play Thursday against Texas A&M (40-20), a team they were scheduled to play in February's Bank of Hawaii Invitational. That game was rained out, but Hawaii did face Cal State Fullerton during the tournament, edging the Titans, 2-1.

Cal State Fullerton (34-27) is in UH's regional, along with Tennessee (44-25), Colgate (23-23) and host Washington (44-17), the top seed. Hawaii is one of only two WAC teams selected; the other was defending champion Fresno State.

The Pac-10 placed eight teams in the NCAA tournament, with one school in each region. The Big 12 had seven teams selected.

"I think it's a good bracket," said Coolen. "We've seen some of the teams. Washington beat us last year. We know Tennessee and we've played Fullerton.

"We're feeling pretty fortunate to be going where we're going."

Coolen said the team will work out today in Fresno and head to Seattle tomorrow. He said senior Kelly Gentle will pitch against Texas A&M on Thursday and Janelle Gonzales will start the second game.

Eight regional winners advance to the Women's College World Series, May 27-31, at Oklahoma City.